Bitmask
Bitmask is a free, open-source VPN app designed to help protect online privacy.
What Bitmask is
Bitmask is a free, open-source VPN app designed to help protect online privacy. It connects to vetted providers, including Riseup.net and The Calyx Institute, and includes tools for evading internet controls. Users can connect to private VPNs through a discreet URL or invite code. Its self-hostable system lets individuals or collectives run private, circumvention-focused VPNs. The maker says Bitmask requires no accounts and has no logs or tracking, and describes the tool as third-party audited. Its applications and server-side components are open source. Bitmask is available for Android, Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted use. Linux support covers the two latest Ubuntu LTS versions; Debian and Arch Linux packaging is not currently available. On Windows, the app does not yet have a kill switch, and the maker says that platform has not been well tested for DNS or IP leaks. Bitmask is made by the LEAP Encryption Access Project, which was founded in 2012. The listed Bitmask plan costs nothing and connects to vetted providers.
Good
- Connects to vetted providers including Riseup.net
- Offers private VPN connections by URL or invite code
- Applications and server-side components are open source
- Self-hostable system supports private VPNs
Watch out
- No Windows kill switch
- Windows DNS or IP leak testing is limited
- Debian and Arch Linux packaging is unavailable
Who it suits
Bitmask may suit users seeking an open-source VPN app with provider options and tools for circumventing internet controls. Its self-hosted setup may also suit individuals or collectives running a private VPN.
Verdict
Bitmask offers provider-based and self-hosted VPN options, with open-source components and no account requirement. Windows users should note the missing kill switch and the stated testing limitation for DNS or IP leaks.
Plans and prices
From Bitmask's own pricing page, checked 12 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Bitmask | Free | Free to use · connects to vetted providers |
The facts
Each one read from Bitmask's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Accounts and tracking
- The maker says Bitmask requires no accounts and has no logs or tracking.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Audit
- The maker describes Bitmask as a third-party-audited tool.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Censorship circumvention
- Bitmask includes tools to evade internet controls, and users can connect to private VPNs using a discreet URL or invite code.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Developer
- Bitmask is created by the LEAP Encryption Access Project, which says it was founded in 2012.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Open source
- The maker says Bitmask’s applications and server-side components are open source.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Product
- Bitmask is an open-source VPN app designed to help protect online privacy.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Self-hosting
- Individuals or collectives can run their own private, circumvention-focused VPNs using Bitmask’s self-hostable system.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Support and community
- The maker invites users to contact LEAP on Matrix at #leap:systemli.org and welcomes community contributions, bug reports, and translations.checked 12 Oct 2026
- VPN providers
- Bitmask connects to vetted providers including Riseup.net and The Calyx Institute.checked 12 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2012checked 28 Sep 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 22 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Linux support
- The two latest Ubuntu LTS versions are supported; Debian and Arch Linux packaging is not currently available.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Platforms
- Bitmask currently runs on Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows; the maker says an iOS client depends on funding.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Windows limitation
- The maker says Windows does not yet have a kill switch and describes the platform as not very well battle tested for DNS or IP leaks.checked 12 Oct 2026
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